Even as uncertainty continues over US President Donald Trump's visit to Gujarat, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, at an election rally in New Delhi on Wednesday evening, said that Trump would visit the Sabarmati Riverfront when he comes to India in February.
Rupani praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that he has made Sabarmati the cleanest river in Asia. “In the entire Asia, the Sabarmati river has become the cleanest river which was ensured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prominent leaders like Japan and Israel prime ministers also visited the riverfront and were surprised to see it.
“US President Trump will also come (to India) in February and he will also visit the riverfront," the Gujarat chief minister said. However, he did not specify the dates.”
In spite of no official confirmation on Trump's visit to Ahmedabad, work is going on on a war footing to resurface the roads leading to the Motera Cricket Stadium, which on completion, will be the largest cricket stadium in the world.
A source in the know-how of the construction of the stadium told THE WEEK that the stadium was not match-fit yet. However, they have been asked to keep other things ready, considering Trump's probable visit. The visit will be decided at the PMO level, he said, adding that security aspects will also be taken into consideration.
The metro rail, which leads to the stadium, is also not complete.
In the past two days, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has resurfaced the roads leading to the stadium and also removed encroachments from either sides. At some places, diversions have been made.
Spanning 63 acres, the Motera Cricket Stadium will surpass the seating capacity of Melbourne Cricket Stadium and will have a seating capacity of 1.1 lakh. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 700 crore.
